Huntsville gazette., 1887-04-09
LILIES AND ROSES.
Why, the Former Are Preferred by
Some People.

Some People.
II know what that means, before
Elsie goes" said Ruth Murdoch, as the
trim maid set the rolls on the luncheon
table, and went off to answer the bell.
''Well, what is it that has turned my
daughter into prophetess?" said the
doctor, smiling fondly at Ruth over his
teacup.
''Why, tonight is the night of Daisy
Hammond's party, and it's time my
flowers appeared"
''Oh, You thought you'd temper the
wind to the shorn lamb by making
somebody else pay for the bouquet?
Well, that was considerate of you,"
and DIR. Murdoch crossed the hall and
entered his Office just as Elsie re-
appeared with a long white box.
Gentle Mrs. Murdoch leaned on her
daughters shoulder as the girl took off
the tissue coverings which protected
the dainty blossoms from the January
cold. At the bottom of the box lay a
creamy mass of Marechal Niels, gath
in their first perfection. Mrs. Murdoch
listened for Rqth's exclamation of de-
light, but it did not come Instead,
after brief look, and a slight but
significant smile, the owner of the box
closed itwith a bang, and placing it on
the table, turned to lea,e the room.
"Aren't you going to put your roses
in water?" called her mother after her.
''You may set them in the library, if
you choose. 1 am not going to wear
them to night" was the reply; and
Ruth went upstairs.
Mrs. Murdoch had been educated in
the days when whistling was no part of
a girls education, SO she simply uttered
the good old-time expression of aston
ishments'Well, never!" and proceed
ed to take care of the roses. The
trouble was certainly no disappoint-
ment as to the sender, for Mrs. Muir
doch had caught a glimpse of the card
with the line edward Leslie, M. d., p"
engraved in the center; and only last
night she and the doctor had decided
that Ruth was becoming too fond OF
young Ned Leslie. They had no OBJ
lection to the handsome young fellow
who had already gathered the next
best practice in town to DR.. Murdoch s;
but they were far from ready to give
up their only daughter. There had
been no chance for q quarrel since
Ruth had announced that she and DR..
Leslie were going to this German to-
gether, so the situation might well
puzzle Mrs. Murdoch's BRAN.
That the innocent Marechal Niels
were themselves the source of the mis-
chief never entered her Imagination.
But such was really the case, and this
is the way it all happened: The night
before, DR.. Leslie had called at the
Murdochs', and the principal topic OF
conversation had been the next even
ing's entertainment. As he rose to 60,
he had asked Ruth, with touch of in
tention in his tone, what color she was
to wear to the German.
''Oh, my dress is cream-colored crepe
de Chine, and / must have lilies of the
valley to go with it," she answered
gayly; and since both at home and in
Bridgeville society her word was law,
she had confidently expected the lilies.
OF course, they must be costly in JAN
uary, and Ned Leslieewas not rich like
many Of the circle in which she moved;
but DR.. Murdoch's daughter knew
nothing of the practical Inconvenience
of the lack of money. She was more
likely to think that careful expendi-
lures meant meanness-a fault which
her generous soul abhorred; and all
her liking for young Leslie could not
cover the dire fact that he had sent
roses when she had asked for lilies.
For a few moments she sat in her
easy chair considering the problem;
then she donned out-of-door costume
and went slowly downstairs. Mrs.
Murdoch had a second shock of aston
ishment when her daughter appeared
at the library door. muffied in sealskin
and asked if there were any errands
down town. Nsiss
II should think" she. said, "that you
would save upfor tonight, instead OF
going out into the bitter cold. Let
me send Dennis for whatever you
want .,s.ee.
.'Unless you have some wants,
have but one errand, mamma, and
Dennis could hardly do that. Good
bye,' and the heavy front door
slammed behind her.
THAT one errand must be very
amusing one,'' meditated Mrs. Muir
tloch; s.she looked brimful Of fun.
What she's up to / can't make out, :
and she gave little sigh.
Neither was her state Of mind much